STEVE WALSH / SCHEMER DREAMER

Digitized from the original vinyl, released in 1980 on Kirsher Records.
Format: Mp3
Bit Rate: 320 kbps
ALBUM INFO:
Produced By: Steve Walsh, Brad Aaron & Davy Moire
Engineered By: Brad Aaron & Davy Moire
Assistant Engineers: Les Horn & Davy Pinkston
Recorded & Mixed At: Axis Sound Studios, Apogee Studios & Capricorn Studios.
Cover Art: Will Weston III & T. Drennon
TRACK LISTING:
Schemer - Dreamer / That's All Right
Get Too Far
So Many Nights
You Think You Got It Made
Every Step Of The Way
Just How It Feels
Wait Until Tomorrow
THE PLAYERS:
Steve Walsh - Vocals, Vibes, Keyboards, Drums
Phil Ehart - Drums
Tim Gehrt - Drums
Steve Morse - Guitars
Allen Sloan - Volins, Viola
Jeff Lux - Guitars, Flutes, Vibes
Kerry Livgren - Guitar
Rich Williams - Guitar
David Byson - Guitar
Duane Buckler - Bass
Merle McLain - Bass
Turner Gaugh - Bass
Cecil Welch - Trumpet
Skip Lane - Saxophone
Vic Hancock - Handclaps
WEBSITE(S):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Walsh_(musician)
http://www.stevewalshrocks.com/
http://www.steve-walsh.de/
http://www.kansasband.com/
REVIEWS:
The other half of Audio-visions?, May 7, 2005
By Patrick the rogue "Cool runnings" (NC, USA) - Amazon Customer Review

I saw a remark somewhere, I think from Robby Steinhardt, the violinist for Kansas, that the Kansas album of 1980 (Audio-visions) had suffered because both Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh had kept their best material for their own solo albums. One can only agree that the best from Schemer-Dreamer by Steve Walsh, Seeds of Change by Kerry Livgren, and Audio-visions by Kansas, would have resulted in one phenomenal album. Fortunately for us fans we have all three and can consider 1980 to be a banner year. The production and musical choices on this album are very close to the sound of classic Kansas, though lacking many of the progressive rock elements that were normally supplied by Kerry Livgren. Wait Until Tomorrow however would fit on a Kansas album without a blink; changes in mood, expressive, well crafted lyrics - the song begins with soft voice and piano and builds to a desperate jam-filled crescendo. The ballad Just How it Feels, a tribute to his grandparents, is possibly the most poignantly beautiful and touching song ever sung or written by Steve, reminiscent of Lonely Wind, from Kansas' first album, more than Dust in the Wind. The foot stomping, piano punching rocker Every Step of the Way is Steve's autobiographical statement - would have been Kansas' answer to Boston's Rock and Roll Band. The energetic You Think You Got It Made was included on Kansas' Audiovisions tour playlist, was played pretty much exactly as it sounds on the album and fit in very well, testifying to how close to Kansas the sound is. Any Kansas fan will find much to love here. The sound is definitely in the vein of Monolith/Audiovisions Kansas rather than Steve's later work with Streets. Highly recommend this gem.

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By Yours Truly

First I gotta apologise because upon ripping this one I realized it was in a bit worse condition than I had thought. That said, if you've never heard this one then this rip should be enough to make you run out and get a not so crackly CD.

This album, along with Kerry Livgren's Seeds Of Change, both released in 1980, kinda signified the start of the end of the original Kansas band, Proto-Kaw aside........

Having seen the band several times in the 70's and being amazed by Walsh's powerful voice and high energy on stage delivery, like handstands on the keyboards, this album fits right in where the Steve Walsh part of Kansas leaves off. starting off with the high energy rocker, Schemer-Dreamer and going forward from there. This is a solid album and much more accessible for the average Kansas fan than Steve's later solo offerings.

I saw Kansas perform this past summer and truth be told I was quite disappointed because Walsh took a back seat ride most of the evening with the bass player and the violinist doing a large part of what used to be Walsh vocals. I guess I should cut him some slack though cuz ain't none of us from the 70's in our 20's any longer. Lord knows he's done his part.

Tom

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